Leicester Tigers team for Singha Premiership Sevens

Leicester Tigers coach Tosh Askew is looking forward to seeing a young squad test themselves in the competitive environment of the Singha Premiership Sevens at Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

England Under-20s hooker Jake Farnworth captains a Tigers squad looking to follow in the footsteps of their colleagues who reached the finals of the Premiership event in each of the last two seasons.

Academy assistant manager Askew leads the squad and said: "We've got a good group of young players involved this year, including 11 guys who have come right through from the age of 16 at our academy.

"Jake Farnworth has played in the tournament over the last couple of seasons but it is new to the rest of the group and they're all looking forward to it.

"In sevens rugby you're looking for players to show really good basic skills, 100 per cent effort as always and to express themselves, take their opportunities one on one and to be brave enough to look for those opportunities.

"This tournament tests your decision-making under fatigue in a competitive environment and that is important in the development of young players."

Tigers came through the pool rounds at Northampton in 2013 to reach the Premiership Sevens Final against Gloucester, and beat hosts Harlequins in the Plate Final last year after coming through the pool stages at Newcastle.

The opening action for Tigers at Kingston Park is against hosts Newcastle Falcons at 4pm, with further fixtures against Worcester Warriors (4.55pm) and Sale Sharks (5.50pm). The Finals are at the Twickenham Stoop next Friday (August 28).

As well as Under-20s cap Farnworth, the Tigers squad includes forwards George Nairn and Stone Priestley-Nangle who made their senior debuts during last season's LV= Cup, and academy prospects Will Evans and Ryan Olowofela who earned England age-group recognition in 2014/15.